Until recently little has been known in the western world about Goji berries and the many health benefits that this little red miracle fruit has to offer.

Linwoods has carefully selected Goji berries sourced from the Ningxia province situated in North-West China otherwise known as ‘China’s Herbal Medicine Valley

See Also Goji Berry Juice

Ningxia region offers the ideal growing conditions for Goji berries as the Huang He (Yellow) river, which originates in the Himalayan Mountains, flows through this province and over the centuries has created mineral rich, super fertile silt-water flood plains found nowhere else on earth.

With its unusual alkaline soil and extreme temperature range, Ningxia provides the perfect growing conditions which ensure Goji berries are packed full of vitamins, polysaccharides, proteins, anti-oxidants and essential amino acids.

Goji Berry Facts:

• 19 amino acids – the building blocks of protein, including all eight that are essential for life

• 21 trace minerals, including manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, calcium, cobalt and selenium

• More protein than whole wheat

• A complete spectrum of antioxidant carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.

• B-complex vitamins, necessary for converting food into energy

• E Vitamins (very rarely found in fruits, only in grains and seeds)

• Beta-Sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory agent. Beta-Sitosterol also helps lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat sexual impotence and helps reduce prostate enlargement

• Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure, alleviates menstrual discomfort .

• Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce cholin, a compound that calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth and protects against fatty liver disease. Betaine also provides methyl groups in the body’s energy reactions and can help reduce levels of homocysteine, a prime risk factor in heart disease. It also protects DNA.

• Essential fatty acids, which are required for the body’s production of hormones and for the smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system.

• Goji berries contain bioactive polysaccharides, also called proteoglycans, a family of complex carbohydrates that are bound to proteins. They are produced by some plants as an extremely effective defence mechanism against attack by viruses, bacteria etc. Although many plants produce small amounts of bioactive polysaccharides, it seems that those with the highest levels of these protective compounds are those that are themselves more sorely in need of protection. Goji Berries must attempt to survive under great stresses such as the extremes of temperature, high altitude or wildly unpredictable precipitation. No plant on earth grows under more stressful conditions than Goji berries. Fortunately for humans, many of these protective effects are conferred upon us when we eat plants that are rich in polysaccharides.

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF POLYSACCHARIDES

Research evidence suggests that Polysaccharides may help to:

1. Protect against tumour growth

2. Neutralise the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation

3. Help normalise blood pressure

4. Help balance blood sugar

5. Combat autoimmune disease

6. Acts as an anti-inflammatory

7. Balance immune function

8. Lower cholesterol and blood lipids

9. Increase calcium absorption

10. Research strongly suggests that Goji berries unique polysaccharides work in the body by serving as directors and carriers of the instruction that cells use to communicate with each other. In this way, it can be said that goji berries polysaccharides are ‘master molecules’ by virtue of their ability to command and control many of the body’s most important biochemical defense systems.

Many of the traditional health giving properties of Goji berries are being confirmed by modern scientific studies, some of which include:

• Boost immune system

• Increase energy and strength, especially when fighting disease

• Anti-ageing effects. (Goji berries stimulate the secretion of the human growth hormones which help reduce or even reverse the effects of ageing.)

• Eliminates free radical damage to the skin

• Helps fight cellulite

• Supports healthy kidney and liver function

• Strengthens muscles, bones and heart

• Maintains healthy blood pressure

• Helps lower cholesterol

• Promotes normal blood sugar in early-onset diabetes

• Supports eye health and improves quality of vision

• Relieves headaches and dizziness

Linwoods Goji berries are a deep red, dried fruit about the same size as a raisin. They taste somewhat like a cross between a cranberry and a cherry.

We recommend two dessert spoonfuls daily (20 – 30g) which may be added to your favourite breakfast cereal or taken as a snack.

Store in a cool dry environment. The product is also suitable for either refrigeration or freezing. Linwoods Goji berries are produced to the highest environmental standards and certified free from detectable pesticide and herbicide residues. Advanced Steam Processing technology ensures safe, superior, quality foods.